Static eliminator for a motorized treadmill

ABSTRACT

A static eliminator adapted to an instrument panel of a motorized treadmill to eliminate static for the runner on the treadmill without having to wear any anti-static gear includes an ion generator and a fan. The ion generator is disposed behind the fan to alternatively generate cations and anions. The fan blows the ion current bearing-cations and anions to the runner for eliminating static by ion neutralization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a static eliminator for a motorized treadmill, and more particularly, to one that delivers an ion current carrying cations and anions with a fan to neutralize static building up on the runner.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Whereas a runner is working out on a motorized treadmill, the static charges will usually build up on the body of the runner due to the friction between the deck and the clothes. Once the runner touches the hand-rest, the runner may get electric shock since the hand-rest contacts the ground. The deck is an insulator that prevents the discharge of static built on the runner if he/she does not contact the treadmill. Accordingly, the accumulated static causes the voltage to rise, thus to fail or damage the electronic equipment attached to the treadmill. Static most frequently causes chaos to the electronic control system resulting in sudden fast moving or stop of the deck to expose the runner to the accident of falling on the ground.

Generally, the voltage of static discharge that can be sensed by the human body ranges between 3,000V˜5000V. However, it takes only few hundred volts to cause permanent damage of an electronic device. Therefore, a static elimination device is usually adapted to the structure of the treadmill to eliminate the static generated in the course of running by the user of the treadmill.

One improvement involves the placement of an anti-static mesh in the deck. The anti-static mesh is essentially intervened with fibers and wires to lead the static generated on the deck to the ground through the contact of the deck roller and the frame of the treadmill.

The deck is made of rubber and is vulnerable to show resilience fatigue after using for a long time. It requires periodical readjustment of the tension of the deck. Since the tenacity of the anti-static mesh differs from that of the deck, the anti-static mesh can be easily broken up to lose its function in the course of readjusting the tension of the deck. When the anti-static mesh is broken up, an immediately replacement of the deck is required. It is not likely to expect the user to replace the deck by himself/herself.

Another improvement is having the runner to wear anti-static ring to lead the static away from the runner. However, wearing the anti-static ring may become a burden to the runner while running on the deck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a static eliminator adapted to an instrument panel of a motorized treadmill to make the runner feeling easier and more comfortable without having to wear any anti-static gear.

To achieve the purpose, the static eliminator contains an ion generator to alternatively deliver cations and anions and a fan to blow the ion current carrying the cations and anions to the runner to neutralize the static building up on the runner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a working status of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing another working status of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a static eliminator adapted to a motorized treadmill. A notch (111) is provided on an instrument panel (11) in front of the motorized treadmill (1) to receive the insertion of a static eliminator (2). A lid (112) is provided in relation to the notch (111) on the instrument panel (11) and screwed to the instrument panel (11) with a plurality of fasteners (113). The static eliminator (2) includes an ion generator (21) and a fan (22). The ion generator (21) is deposed behind the fan (22) to alternatively generate cations and anions. That is, the ion generator (21) generates only cations for a certain period of time and then generates only anions in cycles. The fan blows an ion current carrying cations and anions to the runner. The runner while enjoying the breeze of the ion current has the static built on his/her body to be neutralized.

For example, if the runner is one meter away from the static eliminator (2), the static eliminator (2) alternatively delivers more than five million cations and anions to completely eliminate the static at a voltage of 5000V within six seconds. To test the static elimination results, a static generator is disposed at the front of the instrument panel (11) adapted with the static eliminator (2). The static generator is caused to generate a static at the voltage around 5700V, later measured at approximately 5800V using a static meter. The static eliminator (2) is then started to deliver the ion current carrying cations and anions. As measured, the static voltage is dropped to 400V to prove that the present invention is capable of effectively neutralizing and eliminating the static created on the motorized treadmill.

Furthermore, the static elimination result is achieved only by having the ion current delivered by the static eliminator (2) to be directed at the runner. As illustrated in FIG. 3 for another preferred embodiment of the prevent invention, the static eliminator (2) is made a standing alone unit by having the ion generator (21) and the fan (22) placed inside a casing (23) of the static eliminator (2). The static eliminator (2) is fixed onto the instrument panel (11) by means of a fixture (3) to achieve the same static elimination result. 

1. A static eliminator adapted to an instrument panel of a motorized treadmill comprising an ion generator and a fan; said ion generator being deposed behind said fan; said ion generator alternatively delivering cations and anions; and said fan blowing an ion current carrying cations and anions. 